I play clarinet and use 2.5 reeds. My band teacher wants us using 3's, but when I play them I can't get the notes out. I was wondering what you all suggest on how to go about making my transition to 3's? I'm running low on reeds and need to decide on which reeds to buy. Thanks a lot

Don't bother if its not working for you - there's no sense producing a worse sound on a harder reed to prove something - whatever sounds better is the reed you should use. I f you're more comfortable with 2.5s stick with them.

Have you asked your teacher for help? If he suggested you buy them, I'm sure he thought it would help. Maybe the 2.5's are too soft and you're producing a pinched/fuzzy sound? Transitions can be difficult but I think in the long run it will help. That's why he told you to do it. So I think you should enlist his help in changing to 3's. It could be something with your embouchure or even something as simple as repositioning the ligature. Hope this helps!!!

I hate this discussion. Why can't you just use what feels natural for you and then change reed size when you feel it's to easy to play on? I really think it can change your embrouchure in a bad direction if you change to early. I've always waited till it was the right thing for me and not because my conductor told me to (he never did though). Anyway, does your conductor know anything about playing the clarinet??

Maybe I misinterpretted...I thought it was a private teacher that suggested it

i'd reccomend using mitchell lure 3 reeds to start. all that you have to do when switching to a different seize reed is use more air that usual.

just buy a single rico 3 reed at first, and try to play the cromatic scale at first. dont buy the mitchell lure yet, because you have to buy those in packs of 10.

beleive me, i know that trasitioning to a harder reed can be hard. just work your way up, and remember harder reeds require more air.